DISEASES OF HORSES 137 



gases that are predisposing or exciting causes of disease. When a 

 horse is overheated, it is not safe to allow him to dry by evapora- 

 tion ; rubbing him dry and gradually cooling him out is the wisest 

 treatment. When a horse is hot covered with sweat it is dan- 

 gerous to allow him to stand in a draft; it is the best plan to walk 

 him until his temperature moderates. In such cases a light blanket 

 thrown over the animal may prevent a cold. Overwork or over- 

 exertion often causes the most fatal cases of congestion of the lungs. 

 Avoid prolonged or fast work when the horse is out of condition or 

 unaccustomed to it. Animals that have been working out in cold 

 rains should be dried and cooled out and not left to dry by evapora- 

 tion. When the temperature of the weather is at the extreme, either 

 of heat or cold, diseases of the organs of respiration are most fre- 

 quent. 



It is not to be supposed that farmers can give their horses the 

 particular attention given to valuable racing and pleasure horses, 

 but they can most assuredly give them common-sense care, and this 

 will often save the life of a valuable animal. If the owner properly 

 considers his interests, he will study the welfare of his horses so that 

 he may be able to instruct the servant in details of stable manage- 

 ment. 



WOUNDS ABOUT THE NOSTRILS. 



Wounds in this neighborhood are common, and are generally 

 caused by snagging on a nail or splinter or by the bite of another 

 horse; or by getting run into, or by running against something. 

 Occasionally the nostril is so badly torn and lacerated that it is 

 impossible to effect a cure without leaving the animal blemished for 

 life, but in the majority of instances the blemish, or scar, is due to 

 the want of conservative treatment. As soon as possible after the 

 accident the parts should be brought together and held there by 

 stitches. If too much time is allowed to elapse, the swelling of the 

 parts will considerably interfere. Never cut away any skin that 

 may be loose and hanging, or else a scar will certainly remain. 

 Bring the parts in direct apposition and place the stitches from a 

 quarter to a half inch apart, as circumstances may demand. It is 

 not necessary to have special surgeons' silk and needles for this 

 operation; good linen thread or ordinary silk thread will answer. 

 The wound afterwards only requires to be kept clean. For this 

 purpose it should be cleansed and discharges washed away daily 

 with a solution made of carbolic acid 1 part, in water 40 parts. If 

 the horse is inclined to rub the wound against some object on ac- 

 count of the irritability, his head should be tied by means of two 

 halter ropes attached to the opposite sides of the stall to prevent 

 him rubbing the wound open. The head should be so tied about 

 ten days, except when at work or eating. 



TUMORS WITHIN THE NOSTRILS. 



A small globular tumor is sometimes found within the false 

 nostril, under that part of the skin that is seen to puff or rise and 

 fall when a horse is exerted and -breathing hard. These tumors 

 contain matter of a cheesy consistency. 



